U.S. Targets Al-Shabab Leader in Somalia Airstrike

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Dec. 29, 2014, 10:41 PM GMT / Updated Dec. 29, 2014, 11:09 PM GMT

The U.S. military carried out an airstrike Monday against the Islamic extremist group al-Shabab in Somalia, but the Pentagon did not say whether the intended target, described only as a senior leader, was killed. A U.S. official told NBC News that no U.S. ground forces were involved.

"At this time, we do not assess there to be any civilian or bystander casualties," Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary, said in a statement. Al-Shabab has been carrying out terror attacks in Somalia and in Kenya, where 36 sleeping quarry workers were slaughtered earlier this month.

In addition to the Somalia airstrike, U.S. forces also conducted bombing raids in Syria and in Iraq on Monday, using fighter jets and drones against ISIS targets.